Swivel caster



SWIVEL CASTER- Fil ed Jan. 17, 1950 INVENTOR. [dry/h /1 fi'awera.

' )1 4m ATTORNEY.

l at'entecl Oct. 13, 1931 UNITEDQSTATES E r orEicE:

EDWIN H. POWERS, onsAGINAw, MICHIGAN, ,A ssIGNoR ro sAGIimw sramrrne .A'NDY TOOL COMPANY, or SAGINAW, ICHI AN, A CORPORATION or MICHIGAN SWIVEL m ma 7 Application filed January 17,1930.1"sfiai ve. 421,353.

. This invention relates to casters, and more particularly to swivelcasters of new and pleasing appearance for use on hospital equipment, furniture, and in fact on any arti .5 cle where it is desired to move smoothly,

easily and with a minimum of friction.

" One object of the invention is to provide a ball bearing caster which has a free and easy swiveling action, and in which the wear:

ing parts are formed of stampings, suitably hardened and carbonized to insure long life with a minimum of wear.

Another object of the invention is to provide a stamped swivel caster which can be economically manufactured and assembled,

which is smooth and noiseless in operation,

and which will not mar the finish of the floor or surface over which it operates.

A further object is to design a sturdy and substantial swivel caster which is provided with a double row of anti-friction balls, so that friction and side pressure is eliminated during movement. 7 1

The above and other objects will appear as the specification progresses, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings in which I have shown the preferred embodimentv of my invention, and in which like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views thereof.

In the drawings: Fig.1 is a s1de view of my improved swivel Referring now to the drawings, the numera1 5 indicates a wheel yoke formed ofa stamp- I ing and provided with a pair of off-set forked 'legs6 and 7 respectively, having suitable openings in the ends thereof to accommodate an axle member 8, and'on which a hard rubber wheel 9 is mounted, said axle having a head 10 on the one end thereof, the opposite the caster, the lower endbeing anchored in' end being shouldered and threaded, and a nut 11 is threaded thereon inv the usual manner. I

' A stem 12'projectsfrom the upper end of center Icore 13,and is provided with a head 14 as usual, said core bein g suitably formed;

to accommodate spaced apart rows of anti-1f friction balls 15 and 16 respectively, the up per end of said core being of smaller'diambraces said core and balls, thefllowerge'nd being rounded to conform to the" curvature of the lower row of anti-friction balls, and has a centrally} disposed opening to accommodate the headlof the stem',the upper end of. the

shell being-openpand a washer member 20 forms 'ahclosure for the' shelland embraces h pper end of'the core; C The-upper end '21fof the wheel yoke is cy lindrical in shape, and fits over the-washer 20,this is also provided with an opening to accommodate the core, the lower end being pressed inand' constricted as shown at 22 to support the shell 19, thence terminating, in

opening'in the leg 7 being o'f'smaller diameterthan the opening'in'the' leg 6, so that it willfit theshouldered end of the axle 8, elime:

. theforkedlegs as above-described, the axle inating any possibility of bindingthe wheel. between the "leg'swhen the nut 11 is tightened. I

' This constructionprovides a well'bailancedand easy running swivel caster as the lower row of balls 15 takes the vertical load'on the caster, and the'upper row 16 takes the lateral or side thrust; V.

From the foregoing descriptionit will be l obvious-that I have perfected a veryisimple,

practicalcaster, of neat andpleasing appearance, which will 'notvmar the floor. finish, and

which is smooth'and velvety in operation.

nl/Vhat I claim is 7 r 1.' In a'swivel caster, a. stamped yoke hav: ing a wheel mounted therein, a center core provided with a vertically disposed stem, a;

stamped shell mounted in said yoke, anti friction balls interposed between saidfcore and shell, the lower end ofsaid yoke being. constricted-to form a bearing'and support for said shell and core. r

2. In a swivel caster a'wheel yoke having a wheel mounted therein, a center core hav ing avertically disposed stem anchored there I to, vertically spaced raceways formed in said core, a cup shaped shell, anti-friction balls interposed between said shell and core, said yoke embracing said shell and having its upper end pressed inwardly to cover the open end of the shell and balls, the. lower end being constricted to form a bearing and supportifor the shell and core.

3. In a swivel caster, a wheel yokeand a wheel mounted therein, a center core, a stem anchored therein, raceways formed in said core, a shell, spaced apart rows of anti-friction balls interposed between said core and shell, the upper end of said wheel yoke, em-

bracing and having its lower end pressed inwardly to form a bearing for said shell and core.v

&, In a swivel caster, a wheel yoke having a wheel mounted therein, a center core, a vertically disposed stein projecting therefrom, spaced apart raceways formed in said core, a cup shaped shell,,rows of anti-friction balls interposed between said core, and shell,

a washer fitted over the upper end of thecore and forming a closure for the upper end:

of the shell and upper ball row, thefupper'endof the yoke embracing said shell and washer,

the lower end being constricted to form a support and bearing for the shell and core. 5-. In a swivel caster, a yoke having a wheel mounted therein, a center core,a vertically extendingstem anchored therein, spaced apart raceways provided in the core, anti-friction balls mounted therein, a shell surrounding said balls, its lower end conforming to the radius of the lower row oi balls, a washer fitted over said core and forming a closure for theshell. and the upper row of balls,,said yoke embracing said shell and having its up per end pressed inwardly over the washer, the lower end. being constricted to support said shell therein.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

EDWIN H. POWERS. 

